x
Breaking News
More () »

US Air Force plane crashes in Taliban-controlled territory in Afghanistan

Video from the crash site in Afghanistan circulating on social media appeared to show the charred ruins of a U.S. Air Force electronic surveillance plane.
Credit: AP
This photo provided by Tariq Ghazniwal shows an aircraft that crashed in eastern Afghanistan on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. The U.S. military says it is investigating reports of an airplane crash in Taliban-controlled territory in Afghanistan. U.S. Army Maj. Beth Riordan, a spokeswoman for U.S. Central Command, said that it remained unclear whose aircraft was involved in the crash. (Tariq Ghazniwal via AP)

A U.S. military aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan on Monday, the U.S. military said, adding there are no indications yet it had been brought down by enemy fire. 

The spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan told the Associated Press that the military plane, a Bombardier E-11A, crashed in the Ghazni province and an investigation was underway. 

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein confirmed to reporters at an event that they "don't know the status of the crew." A U.S. official told Fox News there were fewer than five people aboard when it went down. 

The Bombardier E-11A is a U.S. Air Force electronic surveillance plane. Video from the crash site circulating on social media appeared to show its charred ruins.

An official at the U.S. military told the Military Times that bad weather in the area was making it difficult to investigate.

The Taliban control much of the province and all of the area of the crash site. Monday's plane crash is not expected to derail U.S.-Taliban peace talks if it turns out to have been an accident.  

Credit: AP
This photo provided by Tariq Ghazniwal shows an aircraft that crashed in eastern Afghanistan on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020.

Tariq Ghazniwal, a journalist in the area, told the Associated Press that the crash site was about 6.2 miles from a U.S. military base. 

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the Associated Press the plane was a U.S. airforce plane.

Credit: AP
This photo provided by Tariq Ghazniwal shows an aircraft that crashed in eastern Afghanistan on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. The U.S. military says it is investigating reports of an airplane crash in Taliban-controlled territory in Afghanistan. U.S. Army Maj. Beth Riordan, a spokeswoman for U.S. Central Command, said that it remained unclear whose aircraft was involved in the crash. (Tariq Ghazniwal via AP)

Before You Leave, Check This Out